A recent study concludes cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) can be effective in treating certain patients with mild heart failure (HF), according to a presentation at the American College of Cardiology's 63rd Annual Scientific Session.
The MADIT-CRT trial investigated the use of CRT in treating patients with mild HF and concluded that the additional therapy was useful for patients with a specific condition called left bundle branch block (LBBB).
The study found patients who did not have this condition did not benefit from CRT and it may actually increase certain risks in patients who do not have the LBBB condition.
CRT involves placing a small pacemaker below the collarbone to monitor heart rate and correct abnormal heart rhythms.
It is currently used primarily for patients with abnormal heart rhythms and moderate to severe cardiac failure.
The pacemaker stabilizes heart rhythms and relieves serious symptoms like shortness of breath.
The trial tested the theory that CRT could help patients with mild heart failure by keeping them from progressing to higher levels of HF.
More than 1,800 patients were MADIT-CRT participants and each received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) which detects and corrects abnormal heartbeats.
About 60% of trial participants received CRT in addition to standard therapy for their condition.
More than 1,250 of the participants were found to have LBBB.
CRT differs from ICD in that a second electrode is placed over the left ventricle of the heart to help synchronize the heartbeat and improve cardiac function.
Patients were followed for seven years.
Findings isolate the patient group that can benefit from adding CRT to current treatment standards for mild heart failure.
Results were met with positive response from cardiologists, but they said further research is needed to better understand when CRT is appropriate for patients with mild heart failure.
The study found participants with the LBBB condition who received the CRT had a 41% reduced risk of death as compared to patients who received only the traditional ICD.
The study was the longest follow-up of CRT for patients with mild heart failure yet.
At the end of seven years, the probability of death from all causes was 18% for CRT patients with this condition, as compared to 29% in the ICD group for the LBBB patients.
The five-year survival rate was 90% for the CRT patients and, at seven years, the survival rate was more than 80%.
In addition, the same subset of patients had a 62% reduction in risk of a heart failure event, in comparison to the control group.
This study was the first to demonstrate significant survival benefits of CRT for patients with mild symptoms or patients with no symptoms but with cardiac dysfunction.
Nearly 5 million Americans currently live with heart failure.
CRT is a common therapy for patients with moderate to severe heart failure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and has been shown to improve outcomes for this population.
An ICD is a device that uses electrical pulses or shocks to help patients maintain normal heart rhythms.
When an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, the ICD shocks the heart to restore normal rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac death.
The MADIT-CRT trial investigated the use of CRT in treating patients with mild HF and concluded that the additional therapy was useful for patients with a specific condition called left bundle branch block (LBBB).
The study found patients who did not have this condition did not benefit from CRT and it may actually increase certain risks in patients who do not have the LBBB condition.
CRT involves placing a small pacemaker below the collarbone to monitor heart rate and correct abnormal heart rhythms.
It is currently used primarily for patients with abnormal heart rhythms and moderate to severe cardiac failure.
The pacemaker stabilizes heart rhythms and relieves serious symptoms like shortness of breath.
The trial tested the theory that CRT could help patients with mild heart failure by keeping them from progressing to higher levels of HF.
More than 1,800 patients were MADIT-CRT participants and each received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) which detects and corrects abnormal heartbeats.
About 60% of trial participants received CRT in addition to standard therapy for their condition.
More than 1,250 of the participants were found to have LBBB.
CRT differs from ICD in that a second electrode is placed over the left ventricle of the heart to help synchronize the heartbeat and improve cardiac function.
Patients were followed for seven years.
Findings isolate the patient group that can benefit from adding CRT to current treatment standards for mild heart failure.
Results were met with positive response from cardiologists, but they said further research is needed to better understand when CRT is appropriate for patients with mild heart failure.
The study found participants with the LBBB condition who received the CRT had a 41% reduced risk of death as compared to patients who received only the traditional ICD.
The study was the longest follow-up of CRT for patients with mild heart failure yet.
At the end of seven years, the probability of death from all causes was 18% for CRT patients with this condition, as compared to 29% in the ICD group for the LBBB patients.
The five-year survival rate was 90% for the CRT patients and, at seven years, the survival rate was more than 80%.
In addition, the same subset of patients had a 62% reduction in risk of a heart failure event, in comparison to the control group.
This study was the first to demonstrate significant survival benefits of CRT for patients with mild symptoms or patients with no symptoms but with cardiac dysfunction.
Nearly 5 million Americans currently live with heart failure.
CRT is a common therapy for patients with moderate to severe heart failure and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and has been shown to improve outcomes for this population.
An ICD is a device that uses electrical pulses or shocks to help patients maintain normal heart rhythms.
When an abnormal heart rhythm is detected, the ICD shocks the heart to restore normal rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac death.